Baltimore

 

The Story Of Benjamin & Vega

 

 

The story takes place in the streets of Baltimore, Maryland. A young girl struggles to find herself while searching for other people. While A young man struggles to fight demons and the constant screams for destruction...

 

The root of this story started with kids at Thomas G. Hayes elementary school and the surrounding communities.

 

...Today was not a good day for Shannon. Shannon's life had become a wreck since her father went to prison over a year ago. And today, she was accompanied by Kennard, a school bully.

 

"Come wit' me!, hell Mary! Nigga come quick see!" Kennard sang the course from a Tupac song as he pointed at Shannon's sneakers. "Them bitch's dead!" he chuckled. "Your soul is mine..." he teased, and his group of followers laughed at his jokes while they sat across from her at the lunch table in the school cafeteria.

 

"Why you always pickin' on her, Kennard?" A girl entreated from beside Shannon.

 

"Naw, fuck that shit Chyna, you tell me why y'all so dirty, everybody got the same uniform, but both of y'all so dirty, nobody could tell that y'all wearing the same shit as everybody else." Teased Kennard. Kennard was always one of the school's most popular students. For a child in the hood, he was wealthy. His brothers were well-known in their neighborhood for getting money, and it was undeniable that they spent a good amount on their younger brother.

 

Kennard, or Kenny, as his peers call him, he never ate the lunch that the school provided. He always had the money for prime-time pizza, butterscotch cookies, chips, and whatever else they sold at the school. Everyone knew that Kenny was wealthy.

 

"I think you must like her, you, and Chad. Because you always pickin' on her."

 

"Naw bitch, you dumber than you fuckin' look." Kenny snapped.

 

"Look at her," Chad pointed at Shannon. "She so dirty; look at her nappy ass ponytail.

 

"Fuck y'all!" Shannon finally spoke out. "I'm not dirty."

 

"What the fuck you say bitch?" Chad became aggressive.

 

Shannon's heart skipped a beat as the boy stood to his feet. He shoved his juice over at her, spilling over on the table and into her lap. Shannon jumped up from her seat. "Oh my goodness!" she cried out. The boys all laughed, got up, and walked away, leaving Shannon a mess.

 

*

 

On the streets of east Baltimore, young Sean and his best friend Wolf stood outside on the corner with a few of their friends from the neighborhoods.

 

"Yo, I'm tellin' you, Sean, my sister gonna' be in there," Wolf told Sean repeatedly that if they went to his house doing school hours, his sister Chel would be home. Wolf's sister was guaranteed to tell on her younger brother and his friends if they were caught hooking school. Sean liked Chel. She also liked Sean, but not to the full extent of being seen with him. Sean was a fifth grader, while she was a sixth grader.

 

"Chill Wolf, homie. I told you; I know we are good. Chel knows the deal. We straight. I'm already in there." Sean joked and placed a hand on Wolf's upper back.

 

"Yo?" Baby Woe butted in on their conversation. "This nigga still scared of his fuckin' sister? Fuck that bitch Dummy. We been standing out here all fuckin' day and we ain't makin' shit happen. Where the fuck is we goin' chill until school is over?"

 

"Fuck yeah," Menace agreed. He was a chubby dark kid with an aggressive attitude. Just like Baby Woe, Youngsta, Nelly, and Stew, Menace was an act first, then handle the consequences right after kind of kid.

 

Sean also has a temper, but he is more of a thinker. He didn't leap without looking. He always wanted to know where he was going to land.

 

"Hey, Youngsta! What happened to your man?" Baby Woe entreated.

 

"That nigga ain't fuckin' with Youngsta." Nelly finally chimed in. "He fuckin' with them, Lester Morton niggas. Why would we even want dude around us?"

 

"Who the fuck is y'all talkin' bout?" Stew became curious. "I know y'all not still stressing that nigga Blocka 'cause that nigga ain't comin' to us; his cousin lives in Lester Morton court."

 

"That don't mean shit!" Youngsta added. "You live in Lester Morton court too, dummy."

 

*

 

In the elementary school halls, students flooded them like clots in a vein. Shannon was speeding to her next class. She was trying her best to avoid Kennard and his posse at all cause.

 

"Shannon, slow down!" a young girl hurried to catch up.

 

"Hey, Vega." Shannon didn't like Vega much. Although, she was a good friend. But Vega always made Shannon feel beneath her without even trying. Vega didn't even notice that she made her feel this way.

 

Vega was a beautiful girl that every boy had their eyes on. She was well-kept with all the newest shoes and accessories. Her uniforms always looked as if they were brand new. Shannon wasn't a  dirty girl. She was one of the cleanest girls in school. It was just that everything she owned was overused.

 

"Shannon, stop!" Vega grabbed hold of Shannon's arm to stop her in her tracks. "Why are you rushin' to class?" Vega didn't get an answer except for Shannon's nasty look. "Is that boy pickin' on you again? you know it's because he likes you, Shannon." When Vega said it Shannon turned to walk away, but Vega grabbed her arm again, stopping her motion. "It's true, Shannon, trust me. You're a pretty girl. Kennard can see it, but he doesn't know how to show you without getting clowned by his friends. Look, my big sister told me that boys are so dumb that they don't even understand why they act the way they do. Around my way, a cute boy named Derrick always picked on me. Pullin' my hair, callin' me ugly, and he even threw a rock at me." Vega continued as students passed by them in the hall. "One day, Derrick had me cornered in the back of the corner store. I had talked to my sister the day before. She swore he liked me and told me to try something. So, when he had me cornered, you know what I did?" She looked dead at Shannon and said, "I kissed him on the lips. He shoved me back. But, he stopped. The next time I saw him, I asked if he wanted my number, and he said yeah. So-"

 

"...Really, Vega? Are you tellin' me to kiss Kennard and give him my number?"

 

"Oh, god no! Kennard is different. He likes to show off for his friends. Derrick was a loner. That's part of how to get Kennard to leave you alone."

 

"What'd you mean?" Shannon wanted to know.

 

"Get him to notice you're interested in him."

 

"But I'm not." She frowned.

 

"Shannon," Vega looked over at her freshly stained clothing. Shannon looked at her in confusion. "You know I just recently moved. Today is my last day here at this school. My mom purchased all new uniforms since my new school uses different colors.

 

"...I wanted you to know that I am your friend and I would like it if you could come past my dad's house after school and I'll give you all my uniforms. Some are still new, with the store tags on them."

 

Shannon wanted those uniforms. She needed them. She and Vega were about the same size. Vega may be a little smaller. "I can't... I mean, I don't have anyone to take me to your house Vega. My grandma won't let me go that far on my own.

 

"Dang..." Vega thought to herself momentarily, "Okay, I'll see if I can figure something out. I have to get to class. I'll see you later." Vega gave Shannon a quick hug and went to her gym class.

 

Vega's day was smooth. All of her friends gave her extra attention. The boys were upset that they had all missed their chance to label her as their girlfriend. Although a few did try to get her phone number. Two boys managed to prove successful.

 

The first guy was not so interesting; Elroy was knowledgeable, a loner, and always clean, unlike many kids at Thomas G. Haines elementary school.

 

The other was Eric Smith, better known as Extra. He is a trendy kid. Extra was suspended once for punching Kennard in the face. Guess what Kennard did in retaliation? ...He did nothing.

 

Kennard's crew was bigger than Extra's crew in school, but Extra had the upper hand on the streets.

 

Vega really liked Extra, because he was tough but, not a bully. So, when he approached her, she practically shoved her number at him.

 

When school was almost over, Vega noticed Kennard by his hat in the crowd in the hallway. He was picking a fight with some poor kid. "I really hate him," Vega whispered to herself.

 

There stood a small crowd surrounding the action. Vega was curious to see, who was the boy that fell victim to Kennard's wrath today. But, once Vega peeped from behind the laughing crowd, she noticed that it wasn't some boy. To her surprise, it was actually her friend, Shannon with her back against the lockers and tears streaming down her face.

 

Vega knew that she really couldn't stop Kennard. If she tried to, his pride would be attacked and he would feel as though he had to prove his toughness by taking her down. She couldn't take Kennard in a fight. She knew that. But, she smiled when she thought of who could. But, first, she ran into the closest class and told the teacher about the situation in the hall.

 

Vega took off running in the direction that she had just recently come from. "Hey, have you seen Eric?" She asked around and no one knew where he was or where his last class was. Or at least that's what they all claimed. "How could nobody know where he is? One of the most popular kids in school." She thought to herself as she looked around inside of a few classrooms but, failed to find him.

 

It wasn't until after school when Vega and Shannon were walking in a classroom to give Kennard time to leave the school, that she saw Extra walk past the open door.

 

"Hey, Eric!" Vega called and jumped from her seat. Before she made her way to the door, Extra came back.

 

"What's up?" he asked.

 

"Hey, um... come in please," She waved him inside. He followed her curiously, over to where Shannon set uncomfortably, "I know you don't know me, but I really need a big favor from you."

 

"What's that?" His brows narrowed.

 

"Well, first of all, this is my friend, Shannon,"

 

"I know who she is," Extra set forth. He remembered Shannon from their first and second-grade classes together. Shannon and Extra had never spoken before. She wasn't sure if he ever even noticed her. He never seemed to see her when they crossed paths. "That's the girl that sings like that Whitney Huston, Lady," he added.

 

Shannon smiled slightly. She tried to hide her emotions but, wasn't too good at it. "That's what everybody says," she let be known.

 

"Eric?" Vega gained his attention once again. "Can you please talk to Kennard about pickin' on her?"

 

"That's not my business." Extra tried to set her straight.

 

"I know but..." She sighed, then looked at Shannon, then back to Extra. "You're the only person in this school who Kennard would listen to. Kennard won't disrespect you. Trust me, if I were a guy, I would kick his ass myself,"

 

"Vega?" he shook his head before adding, "I'm not gonna go around beatin' up Kennard, because of a girl that I don't know,"

 

"It's okay, Vega. Don't worry about it," Shannon grabbed her books, hugged Vega goodbye, and left the classroom.

 

"Why won't you help that girl? You know you won't have to fight Kennard; he's scared of you, Eric."

 

"Why won't you ask somebody from Deakyland crew? You know that they don't like Kennard anyway?" he threw out.

 

"One, I'm not trying to start a beef, and two, I asked you... I have never even talked to any of them," she made clear. "What if it was your family member Eric? Imagine if Shannon was one of your cousins and she went to a different school where guys were bullying her. Wouldn't you be happy to know that some random guy, out of the kindness of his heart, did what was right and helped her out?"

 

Extra sighed. "I'll talk to Kennard, but that's all I'm doin'. If he keeps on messing with her, it's out of my hands."

"Thanks, Eric." Vega leaned in and hugged him. "I'm sure that's all it's gonna take."

"That's all? You don't need me to walk you home?" He licked his bottom lip. It was his nervous tick.

She smiled as she tilted her head to the side, blushing, "But, you live in the opposite direction, though..."

"...Um...It will be okay, trust me. It won't be any trouble, " he assured her, licking his lip.

 

*

 

Meanwhile...

 

Baby Woe, Youngsta, and Stew went off on their own. They walked to Summerset, where Stew's grandmother lived. By the time they arrived at the small community, it was flooded with kids who were on their way home from school.

 

"Yo, who's that?" Youngsta pointed over at two schoolgirls on the other side of the street.

 

"Ion knows, dummy." Baby Woe said as he stared through his seeing glasses.

 

"That's Alexis and Aisha." Stew made known. "Aisha stays on the other side of Caroline Street, in Mello Court; she the pretty dark skin one."

 

Baby Woe grinned, "I'm 'boutta get her." Baby Woe fixed his glasses, rubbed a palm over his wavy head, and headed over to cut the girls off. "Hey, Aisha girl." He approached.

 

"How you know my name?" She questioned as she stopped in front of him, smiling.

"That's not important. What's important is the fact that you don't know my name." He said while tapping a finger on his chest.

 

Alexis took half of a step forward. "I know your name. You Benjamin. You punched Chad, Kenny's friend."

 

...At the same time, across the street, Stew' and Youngsta' walked into Lester Morton Court, where Stew's grandmother lived for many years. After entering the small apartment, Stew had a quick conversation with his grandmother, who always seemed to be questioning the whereabouts of his close friend Sean.

 

After quickly changing out of his school uniform into something more accustomed to the streets, Stew sneaks out one of his uncles' beers from the drawer at the bottom of the refrigerator.

 

"You know them niggas?" Baby Woe wanted to know.

 

"Yeah," Aisha answered, "Kenny, my boyfriend."

 

"Oh, that's right. Dummy, do get a girlfriend name, Isha'." He looked over at Aisha, smiling.

 

"Why are you smiling?" She asked while also smiling.

 

"No reason... So, you gonna give me your number or what?"

 

"Really?" Aisha laughed and nodded her head towards the girl beside her, "Alexis is Kenny's cousin and-"

 

"...Girl fuck Kenny. You can give him your number," Alexis straightened out.

 

"Really, are you sure? You not goin' say nothing?" Aisha needed confirmation.

 

"Oh shit," Alexis mumbled. "Kenny behind you," She managed to say right before Kenny grabbed Aisha by the neck.

 

"What the fuck you doin'?" Kennard fumed. He felt as if he had the upper hand since he and his two friends did outnumber Baby Woe three to one.

 

Kennard didn't know Baby Woe too well. He knew that Baby Woe was wild when he was with his cousin Sean—or his friends, Youngsta, Stew, or even Nelly. But Wolf had already had a run-in with Kennard and his crew once before. Wolf had been caught, beaten, and chased down, then whipped again. By Wolf keeping that story to himself, there was never any retaliation, making the Deakyland Boys look weak in Kennards' eyes. But, as I said, Kennard didn't know Baby Woe too well.

 

"I'm just talkin' Kenny, Owwah! You're hurting my neck!" She complained.

 

"What the fuck did I tell you about talkin' to clowns?" Kenny enquired while looking directly at Baby Woe.

 

"Hold up, dummy! You needa' watch your mouth," said Baby Woe.

 

"What nigga? Don't make us fuck you up," Kenny and his friends stepped towards him, shoving both Aisha and Alexus to the side.

 

The three boys knew that they had him outnumbered, and they expected him to run. So did the girls. Kennard was ready to give chase. So, you can imagine everyone's surprise when Baby Woe dropped his backpack and punched Kennard in the nose.

 

"Yo," Youngsta called out to Stew as they walked through the parking lot. "Open that shit, dummy," he nodded at the beer bottle that Stew held.

 

Stew stepped in between two cars, opened the bottle, and took a sniff. "This shit stinks, dummy."

 

"Just drink it or pass the shit," Youngsta suggested aggressively. Stew looked at Youngsta but held his tongue. Not out of fear, because he certainly didn't fear Youngsta. But, because Stew knew this was how Youngsta always was, and they both knew that, Stewart Youngblood was not one to scare easily. Stew was one of the brave. When he was scared, you wouldn't know it. He would still carry on as if he wasn't.

 

So Stew ignored Youngstas' tone and placed the bottle to his lips. The liquor fell against his tongue and to the back of his throat. He spat it out immediately, "Ill!" he spat again and dropped the bottle. "That shit nasty!" his face was in total disgust.

 

"Whoa!" Youngsta rushed to save the bottle. Only allowing a small amount to spill out before the bottle was snatched up from the parking lot ground.

 

Youngsta placed the bottle to his lips, then took a swig, "That ain't too bad, dummy. I think I like Colt 45," he held the bottle up and examined it.

 

"Hey!" Some lady called out, who was walking with two children, "Is that a beer? Y'all little asses better pull that shit out before I take y'all to y'all parents." She threatened.

 

"What?" Youngsta frowned, "What the fuck I look like telling you who my parents is, or where I live! Fuck outta here, C'mon dummy." He and Stew walked out of Lester Morton court, with the lady shaking her head as she moved along. "Baby Woe goin like this shit dummy," he tilted the bottle up against his lips again as they both walked.

 

"Yo' what the fuck, dummy!" Stews' words caused Youngsta to lower the 22-ounce bottle.

Stew ran towards Baby Woe; Youngsta noticed the three boys kicking Baby Woe on the ground, with Baby Woe kicking back up, trying to defend himself. Youngsta ran out into the street behind Stew without looking out for traffic.

A red Taurus wagon driver slammed on his brakes. But, he still managed to hit the back of Youngstas' leg as he passed by. His body turned 180 degrees, and he fell to his back in pain. But, Youngsta wasn't a kid who was used to excuses. He turned over, and as he climbed to his feet, he saw Stew punching one of Kennards' friends in the back of the head.

When Kennard saw Stew, he turned to square up with him. So did the kid that Stew punched; Stew popped the kid again, and the third turned to see what was happening. Stew swung at Kennard, but Kennard dodged it and stepped back. This gave Baby Woe the time he needed to climb to his feet. He wasted no time wrapping his arms around the last kid's neck and choking him.

 

Youngsta hopped his way over to the action, and as soon as he reached it, he smashed the Colt 45 bottle into Kennard's skull while Stew and the other kid traded blows. Kennard fell to the ground screaming. The girls gasped. Blood flowed from a gash on his head.

 

The kid that Stew was fighting suddenly paused for a moment. He was used to people bleeding, but not this amount of blood. Like his friend, Kennard thought this was the end for him. They thought the fight was over.

Stew punched the kid in the face again, and out of fear, the kid sprinted away. Leaving his friends suffering, Kennard bleeding out, screaming, and getting beaten up by Stew and Youngsta. Alexus pleaded for them to stop before they killed her cousin.

 

Finally, the young man who drove the Taurus wagon intervened. "Chill out, lil niggas!" The guy shoved them both to the ground. He looked at Kennard, who was still crying frantically. Alexus rushed to his aid. Aisha just stood there in shock. "Yo' let him go, Woe!" he yelled at Baby Woe, who still had his arms around the other kid's throat. The way that the kids' eyes were rolling around and crossing, it made the guy grab Baby Woe's arms and snatch them from around the kid's throat.

 

"Yo' don't touch me, dummy." Baby Woe screamed while he climbed up and re-claimed his backpack.

 

"Baby Woe, bor... get the fuck on somewhere. I'ma see you later." The older guy assured them.

 

The three kids sped away as fast as they could, with Youngsta limping beside the two of them as they went into Stews' grandmothers' apartment.

 

By now, Vega and Extra had made their way to Vegas' fathers' house, and Extra noticed that Vega was very popular in her neighborhood. Almost every kid they saw spoke with bright smiles, boys and girls, even some teens and parents.

 

"Damn, Vega. Everybody knows you, huh?" Her popularity mirrored his own that he experienced in his community. None of these kids attended Thomas G. Haines elementary school as he and Vega did. There was a school that was closer to Vegas' neighborhood. So, every kid that Extra saw was a new face.

 

"This is my neighborhood; of course, everybody knows me." She smiled at him. "Don't everyone know you?"

 

"Not like this." He lied.

 

Knowing he was very popular, her smile deepened at the thought of being more popular than he was. Then, slowly her smile faded. "Hey, Eric?" She turned her body to face his. "How come you asked for my number today?"

 

He looked at her, confused. He was caught by surprise. "What do you mean? I wanted to talk to you," he said dryly.

 

She squinted, "But, you never spoke to me. Like, never. And today, when I'm leaving Baltimore, you ask for my number. Why?" She looked into his eyes for an answer. "Why did you wait until today?"

 

"Um..." He shifted his eyes away, licking his bottom lip. Not wanting to expose the truth. "I don't know." He lied again.

 

She squinted her eyes at him curiously. "Boy, let me find out."

 

"Find out what?" He returned the look of curiosity.

 

She wagged a finger, pointed at him, and shook her head while smiling. "Let me find out you're scared."

 

"Whoa! Scared of what?"

 

"I think you're scared of me."

 

"What?" He laughed. But he knew that she had him all figured out. He knew that she was leaving. So, he asked her, knowing that if she rejected him. He wouldn't have to feel it every day when he saw her in school because she'll be gone. And as pretty as Vega is, with all of the boys lined up only to get shot down, he feared that he would only join in on that long line of boys.

 

"You are, I can see it, Eric." She teased, continuing to use his real name. "It's okay; it's cute on you."

 

"Whatever. I ain't never scared," he licked his lips.

 

"Okay, Bonecrusher." Vega playfully rolled her eyes, turned, and continued to walk. But, almost immediately, she came to a halt. She signed. "Oh boy."

 

"What?" Extra tried to catch the direction that her eyes were looking into.

 

"…The boy walking towards us, his name is David. We went together for about a week before I cut him off. He is sooo-uuummm..." She cut her words short as he approached.

 

"What's up, Vega? I was waiting to see you, so we could chill before you went to D.C.," David said, then looked at Extra.

 

"Who's this nigga?" He asked.

 

She thought to set him straight. "First of all, David, we don't chill. That shit was over when it started. Secondly, you don't ask me about who I'm with." She tried to set him straight.

 

"Stop playin' wit' me, Vega," David said aggressively and grabbed her arm, pulling her towards him.

 

"Ahhh! Stop David! You're squeezing my arm too tight!" She tried to pull away but failed.

Extra stood and watched as she fought to free herself. Vega wasn't his girlfriend, and it was evident that Vega and David had a history. He felt as though this was none of his business. He contemplated walking away and leaving them both with their problems.

 

Vega looked back at Extra with pleading eyes as she tussled. "He's hurting my arm." She informed Extra.

He grew up around family and friends that always said things like, 'Never fight over a bitch; a bitch will get you killed, then move on to the next dick,' But, he was also told that 'Niggas who put their hands on females, deserve to be whipped.'

 

But before Extra could react, David blurted out. "What the fuck is you tellin' this lame ass nigga for? What the fuck is he goin' do?" The kid eyed Extra.

 

Extra twisted his face, feeling disrespected. It was a repeat. In the same way that Kennard didn't know Baby Woe, David didn't know Extra. If they did, they would've known to react first. But it was too late when Extras' fist collided with David's eye, then the other smashed into David's jaw. The third blow to David's chin weakened his legs, and David fell to the ground on his butt. He sat there looking confused, lost, and unaware of his situation.

 

When Extra went to do further damage, Vega stopped him. "Stop, Eric," she grabbed his arm. Extra stood over the dazed boy. She watched over Extra for a moment. He was one of those brown skin boys with brown eyes and hair. His father was black, and his mother was Spanish. His eyebrows always looked like he had them trimmed, but they were natural. His brown hair was short and fine but clean, and he kept his line freshly trimmed. She noticed that he had a habit of licking his pink bottom lip. She liked it when he did that.

 

"C'mon!" she pulled him along.

 

"Do he always be grabbin' on you like that?" he asked as they walked.

 

"That's why I cut him off. In just one week he started getting aggressive and telling me who I could be around. Now, he just won't leave me alone.

 

"You should've let me stomp his ass out."

 

"No, that's not something I think I would be into seeing. I don't want you fighting, but I do appreciate you doin' what you did."

 

He looked at her, puzzled. "That's not what you're into? But, you want me to fight Kenny over Shannon?"

 

"No, not fight, Kenny. I saw you that day when you punched Kennard in the face, and he didn't do anything. He is scared of you. If you tell him to back away from her, I'm sure he would."

 

Extra just stayed silent. But he knew that she was right. Kennard wouldn't go against Extra. Although many of the kids in school thought that Kenny was the big bad wolf, Extra got the final say-so behind the scenes. Extra never wanted popularity, just his space and respect. His older brother taught him to stay humble but vicious. Anything else wasn't any of his business.

 

"This is my house," she stopped in front of a red brick apartment. "Are you goin' to use the number I gave you?"

 

"Why wouldn't I? Didn't I ask you for it?"

 

She smiled, "Well, call me in about two days. That's my mothers' cell number. She'll let us talk," she let be known, and he just nodded. "Are you goin' call me from your brother's phone?"

 

"No. I have my own phone." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell to show her.

 

"Does it work?"

 

"Yea, of course."

 

"Well, why won't you give me your number, and I'll call you?" she asked, pulling out her cell phone. "Mines not on; I just use it for the internet when I get around WIFI. My phone turned off last month."

 

The two stood there talking for almost an hour before Vega's dad came home. She introduced Extra and her father. Of course, she introduced Extra as Eric, and a few moments later, they hugged and went their ways. Extra wished that he would have stepped to her sooner, but Vega was glad that he hadn't because she knew that it would have hurt her to leave him. She was already regretting it after just a few moments. They both felt the connection, one that they had never felt before.

 

Days turned into a week in a half before Kennard returned to school. By then, his crew was finished. They had split apart, and one of the significant crew from Leston Morton was disbanded. The crazy part was that the Deakyland Boys had to walk through the Leston Morton community, going and coming from school daily. Stew lived with his grandmother in Leston Morton court. He came and went as he pleased, although he originally lived on Broadway and Ashland before his father went to prison, making him one of the Deakyland Boys. But Kennard and his crew knew better than to bother Stew. Although, there were a lot of nasty looks at times.

 

Kennard and his crew weren't ready for the sort of trouble the Deakyland Boys could provide. But, all Deakyland Boys weren't like this group of kids. Like all, Lester Morton Boys weren't like Kennard and his crew. Extra for example, he laughed at the way Kennard tucked his tail. The Deakyland Boys wouldn't allow Kennard's crew to set together in class or the lunchroom. They couldn't even group up to walk home from school. Soon, a few of them were getting bullied by other Lester Morton court boys, Miller and Arnold court boys, and there was nothing that Kennard or any other friend could do. No one was allowed to interfere.

 

It wasn't after long, that Aisha left Kennard and stopped hanging out with Alexis. Aisha was a beautiful trophy that Woe was now holding. She stayed at his side and soon became the first female to join their crew. As Woe and Aisha grew closer, so did Vega and Extra. Some weekends Vega would visit her dad and Extra and she would hang out. Vega's mother bought her a new cellphone which she and Extra would talk on so much that they knew one another friends and family members that they had never seen in person.

 

Soon, the kids became sort of distant lovers, of course, without actually experiencing true love. They became obsessed with one another. They were constantly on the phone together.

 

Today Vega left school early. She had an appointment at the clinic at noon. She begged her mother to drop her off at her dad's house right after. Today was Thursday, and Vega could stay home from school this Friday since she had already finished her testing.

 

Everything went perfectly. Her dad agreed to take her early, and she couldn’t wait to surprise Extra. She found herself waiting outside of the school, laughing it up with old friends, reminiscing and trading numbers with some of the girls she hadn't talked to since the day that she left the school. She asked about Shannon, but nobody had seen her on this particular day.

 

Then she saw Kennard's cousin Alexis, who seemed to have eyes on her. She was all over Extra. Everyone could see them. They looked like a couple. "What's this shit?" Vega asked one of the girls who stood next to her.

 

"What, you mean Extra and Alexis? Girl, they been talking since around the time you left." The girl said without knowing the facts.

 

"But... how? Me and Eric talk all the time. When will he ever have time to have a girlfriend?"

"Oh shit!" The girl yelled out. "You the side girl Alexis be always telling me 'bout?"

 

"Side girl?" Vega felt disrespected.

 

By this time, Extra spotted Vega, she was staring straight at them. It was too late. Alexis had her arm around his waist and she ensured Extra's arm was over her shoulder. But he released her when he saw the disagreement in her face.

 

"Hey, Vega?" He approached her, seeing fire in her eyes.

 

"Vega? That's what are you calling me now?

 

"Chill, don't trip." He reached out to grab Vega's hand, but she snatched it away.

 

"Hold up! What in the hell is going on?" Alexis was entreated.

 

"Are you goin' tell her or should I?" Vega asked with attitude; she shifted her tiny weight to one leg and crossed her little arm. Her lips smacked and twisted as she waited on his answer.

 

He looked at Alexis, who stood there, staring at Vega with narrowed brows. "Alexis?" Extra called her attention. "You know I told you-" he shook his head. "We ain't never had nothin'. I been wit' Vega, and you know she's who I'm wit', flat out!"

 

"BITCH!" Alexis slapped Extra hard in the face.

 

Although Vega was livid, she wanted to smack Extra as well, but she couldn't hold from jumping on Alexis. When she put her hands on Extra, it caused a big scene, and by the end, Vega found herself being pulled away by Extra as the school security pulled Alexis and pointed them off the school grounds.

 

“Get the fuck off of me," Vega snatched herself away from the boy she loved so much. She couldn't believe that she couldn't stop the tears. This was the first boy ever to break her heart. “You told me you loved me,” she yelled as they walked.

 

“I do, I -“

 

“No, he doesn't; he loves me!" Alexis cut his words short from behind the two of them.

 

He turned to Alexis, "I never told you that I love you bitch!” He fumed. “You was my homegirl. That's it. I told you I was wit-"

 

“Stop lying; you say you love me daily, Extra!" Alexis lied, and it hit a spot in Extra. He didn't love Alexis. He spent so much time wishing that she was Vega. But Vega was so far away and missed her so much that he tried to spend time with Alexis to take the stress away from not having the girl he loved around him. He couldn't wait until Vega came to her father for the summer.

 

He wasn't giving the time to explain that to Vega, and even if he did, she wouldn't hear it or respect it because she didn't think like that herself. She loved and wanted him around too, but she never used another boy to satisfy her need for company because he wasn't around.

 

Out of pure rage, Extra grabbed Alexis by her throat. He squeezed hard. “Bitch, I ain’t ever told you I loved you!” He ranted.

 

“No, you can’t - Eric, stop!” Vega lashed out at him and pulled at him to release her, and he did, with a hard shove, and back away.

 

“She lying, Vega!” he yelled as he stared at her, hoping that she’ll somehow know that he was telling the truth.

But she was more worried about Alexis holding her throat and choking as Vega checked to ensure she was okay. Vega screamed and shouted at Extra to go. She hated that he was seeing another girl, but what got to her was him putting his hands on her. She knew that it wouldn't be long before it was her throat that those hands would be wrapped around. Her aunts and older cousins had warned her about this kind of guy. She didn't want to be one of the girls they talked about.

 

*